I have a mentor/coach at my day job. I am a pretty darn good software engineer but my mentor is a genius iq with a photographic memory. He makes me feel like I just learned basic sometimes, yet he always takes time to help me see things in a different way I had not considered. To me a good coach or mentor should be better than you in at least something so they can push you, and hopefully you can reciprocate.

Thanks!

David T. McKee

I do talk to a good friend daily, who is from the same industry. We do very similar work, yet do not treat each other as competitors because the market is so big.

It helps to bounce ideas off someone who appreciates your opportunities and challenges and I have been saved from going the wrong way more than once. Same for him

Arun

I came across your video on youtube you posted once-upon-a-time...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmoEWlZ76i8

you should put a link to your blog there.. and make more of those "old times" videos!

I joined PLF 2 and as one of his bonuses he's putting people in masterminds, that's the closest thing to personal coaching I've had to date, when it gets all set up that is.

I hope it works in the same fashion as you described about you and your coach. We'll see i guess.

great post

James

I have both an accountability partner, as well as a few coaches/mentors. Some free, some, NOT so free!

I can not imagine my business without either. They add HUGE value to me, and to my business.

The accountability partner keeps me on my toes 7 days a week, and I do the same in return.

The coaches/mentors help with direction, specialist advice, etc.

The combination has had an immeasurable positive impact on my business.

Cheers

Richelo

Just in case you need 11 comments to assure yourself that what you're talking about is a needed resource among us wannabees; here is #11.

Most of us wannabees really need a friend that knows what he's talking about and is not out to grab money we likely don't have until we get a functional monetized presence online that can pay for coaching and your scripts help us do that!

Thanks
Dan

Folks only pay big bucks if you are addressing big problems.

Fear, sex and money.

Others are selling very poor information for far more money because they are wrapping it up in one of the above. 99% don't deliver but that is OK as far as they are concerned because they always blame the failure on the customer, they didn't link, blog, Digg...enough.

They sell (false) hope to the need and the greedy.

It is your choice buddy if you want to step up to the mega bugs. Honesty and sincerity. Fake those two and you have it made.

Seriously, it is a moral choice that you have to make. If you want to sell telephone numbers then go that route. If you want to sell bigger numbers than you are doing now then sell more and better to more folks and don't loose sight of what you are already achieving and be happy. How many folks live on less than a dollar a day.

As for your daily pep talks, well if it works for you great. I am not sure why you are asking others to validate your strategy. Surely only your own experince is relevant.

Yes, having a coach can definitely keep you on goal for your business, and it looks like you are doing well already this year. That's great!

One thing to think about though, is that each person needs to stay committed to what they have decided and keep that motivation going in order to baby-step their way to a successful online business.

I'm working on that right now and will be making some goals and then working toward them on a daily basis. Keep up the good work.

Patrick Whitson

I've always felt that having coaches, mentors, accountability partners are an important part of personal and business growth.

And it certainly seems that you have found a compatible one in Steven, no matter how one classifies the relationship.

I agree with Jeanette that the various roles are distinct and each can add value to what you are trying to accomplish, but I will stress that one has to find the RIGHT coach, mentor or accountability partner because any of them can lead to the right path or the wrong path quickly.

There are a lot of bloated egos out there mixed in the with the many gems. And a relationship with an egomaniac will pull you off course faster than a black hole.

One should choose a coach, mentor or accountability partner with the same discrimination as one would a potential business partner. And if it doesn't seem to be working, move on until you find the best match.

My best to all,
Bob